South Carolina and North Carolina are among several states across the country participating in the retail holiday.

With school scheduled to open soon, mothers, fathers and teachers loaded up on school supplies in Hendersonville, N.C. Notebooks, papers, pens and pencils filled shopping carts.

“It helps a lot because teachers purchase a lot of things for their classrooms, supplies for us, but also for kids that aren’t going to have things,” teacher Mary Montross said.

But for those in North Carolina, this sales tax free weekend will likely be their last chance to buy tax free locally.

North Carolina lawmakers repealed the sales tax holiday as part of a tax overhaul they just approved.

The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association spoke out against the measure and launched a campaign to try to save tax free weekend.

According to the Association, part of why lawmakers eliminated the holiday is that while it saves North Carolina consumers $14.7 million in sales tax, “the Department of Revenue estimates that it costs the state the same amount in lost sales tax revenue.” (News Release)

But the association’s president, Andy Ellen, has said getting rid of tax free weekend in North Carolina hurts the economy overall.

“Without this weekend, the state’s business climate will suffer significantly, as our residents will travel across state lines to shop tax-free weekends in surrounding states or shop online,” said Ellen. “The retail community always sees a significant increase in sales on Sales Tax Holiday weekend due to the savings customers receive on specials offered by retailers, particularly on big-ticket items such as computers. This weekend is a great shot in the arm for retailers – both independents and chains – who are the largest private employers in North Carolina. Preserving the holiday state’s brick-and-mortal retailers stay economically competitive.” Ellen said. (News Release)

North Carolinians say they expect people will travel across the border to South Carolina to shop this time of year next year. They’re disappointed to see tax free weekend leave the Tar Heel State.

“I think it should be installed more often. I think we should have it several times of year, especially this time of year when people are buying things for their kids for school. Many of these families can’t afford these things even, so having no tax helps a lot,” Karen Sawyer said.

Maureen Retzbach is happy to see the holiday go.

“It’s horrible. I just absolutely hate it. The crowds, the lines, everyone’s trying to get that good deal on electronics. How many electronics do you really need? Every year you need a new computer. We haven’t had a new computer in four or five years,” Retzbach said.

Retzbach works for the state of North Carolina.

“I’m kind of glad they’re getting rid of it. We need to save money somewhere in this state. Otherwise other programs are going to have to get cut, welfare, food stamps everything else. We have to save money some place,” Retzbach said.

Teacher Mary Montross says the change hurts educators.

"I think the school year’s going to start with bad morale because the government seems to be overlooking the assistance, the support that we need," Montross said.

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